Simple and Convenient Breakfast Dining at Kono’s Surf Club

Kono’s Surf Club isn’t really a surf club but does serve popular beach food for those enjoying their day on Pacific Beach.  Across from Crystal Pier and offering both inside seating and cliff side dinning you can still watch the waves as you quench your surfing appetite.  

By design Kono’s is not a fancy restaurant but does fit within the age and lifestyle of Pacific Beach lovers. Items are offered under $6 and include a short list of egg burritos, scrambled eggs, and pancakes. 

Having a large menu isn’t always a benefit. A growing trend in slicing offerings in casual dining establishments is growing (Coffer, 2012). Restaurants are finding that large menus increase cost, are complex, confuse customers, and don’t allow staff to focus on what they do best. 

Restaurants are known for only a few items on their menu. Kono’s Surf Club is best remembered for their breakfast foods. Customers rave about their scrambled eggs and egg burritos. When they think of Kono’s they will natural think of these spearheading two products, reasonable price, and location when their beach activities increase their appetite. 

704 Garnet Ave
San Diego, CA 92109

http://konoscafepb.com/

Coffer, D. (2012). Small menu, big impact: niche brands on the rise. Nation’s Restaurant News, 46 (18).

Lucha Libra Taco Shop will Smack Down Your Appetite

What does body slams, full-nelsons and claws to the face have to do with tacos? Lucha Libre Taco Shop is more than a simple taco restaurant and provides a pro-wrestling theme with great a powerful appetite smack down. Located in the bustling Mission Hills area and offering tacos made with fresh ingredients it draws a crowd lined out the door.

 

We may not admit it but most of us love pro wrestling from our childhood days. Who can forget Hulk Hogan and Rowdy Roddy Piper? Despite the spotting of names that stand out few of us know anything about Lucha Libre.

Lucha Libra is a Mexican style amateur wrestling. It is akin to tag team wresting where the participants wear colorful masks and engage in high end wrestling moves. Losers must sometimes disgrace themselves by taking off their masks.

The wrestling themed taco shop is always busy and people love the unique atmosphere. Brands are definitions that differential a business from its competitors through proper messaging strategy (Jones & Bonevac, 2013). Like their theme Lucha Libra is all about having fun and feeling the excitement much like we did watching wrestling.

Lucha Libre Taco Shop is known for its cheap eats menu with unique offerings such as El Poblano Taco and The "Pancake" Burrito. Order your food from the line, grab a beverage and make your way out to the patio to watch the street traffic. The unique dining experience won’t cost you much at under $10 a plate.

Lucha Libra Taco Shop

1810 W. Washington Street

San Diego, CA 92110

http://www.tacosmackdown.com/

Jones, C. & Bonevac, D. (2013). An evolve definition of the term brand: why branding has a branding problem. Journal of Brand Strategy, 2 (2).

Eating Out When a Healthy Menu is Lacking

Eating out is an activity busy Americans frequently in but don’t often understand the consequences of their food choices.  Some people eat out more than three times a week and this can have an impact on their waistline if they do not adjust their food selections. When Healthy Heart options are lacking an alternative strategy is needed. You can still enjoy your dining experience while eating healthy with a few simple tips.

Part of the problem relates to the consumers choice of foods and the other is more akin to menu options.  Consumers regularly select foods that will satisfy their immediate cravings without regard to the longer consequences of poor eating.  At times restaurants don't offer healthy options or nutrition information. A little reflection can go a long way.

Some restaurants offer a Healthy Heart option which can be an invaluable food selection tool. The use of Healthy Heart menu options has lots of room for growth in the restaurant industry (Jones, et. al., 2004). When offered they usually contained vegetarian meals or light side dishes but often leave out fruit, low-fat beverages, low-fat dressing, and healthy deserts. 

Where a healthy Heart option is not available, or lacking in substance, you should adjust your eating processes to reap the most rewards. Consider the following:

1)  Skip the immediate need to eat bread or request whole grain as a healthier alternative.

2)  Drink a glass of water before putting anything in your mouth to satisfy immediate cravings.

3)  Scan the menu for the Healthy Heart section, low calorie, or high vegetable foods.

4)  Pick restaurants that regularly provide high quality foods such as Thai, Mediterranean, Japanese, Greek, Indian and Organic/Local foods.

5)  Pick soups, salads and other items with a vegetable base.

6) Avoid fried, pasta heavy and creamy foods. Select baked, broiled, or steamed items.

7) If necessary share a meal with someone and order a side dish to reduce the total calorie count.

8) Don’t be afraid to ask for alternatives because it is the restaurants business to serve your needs.

9) Skip the desert. 

Jones, J. et. al. (2004). The prevalence of heart-healthy menu items in West Virginia restaurants. American Journal of Health Behavior, 28 (4).

Experience Authentic British Culture at Shakespeare Pub & Grille

People who dine out regularly experience culture with their food. They enjoy Asian culture through sushi, Mexican culture through tacos and French culture through fine dining. Don’t forget the creamy pasta in Italian restaurants. Yet few think of dining in the British style. If you want to experience the original culture of the first European settlers you may just want to make your way to the Shakespeare Pub & Grille. Fitting since July 4th is tomorrow- request a Samuel Adams!

English food is distinct when compared to their American versions. The food is full of variety due to the many cultural influences on the island (1). For example, spices came from India, Romans brought wine, cabbages, and peas while the Vikings introduced smoked fish. Many of the meats and herbs are grown in the local climate and are customary in British cuisine. Ham is also a favorite main staple. 

Shakespeare Pub & Grille offers classic British dishes along with a few newcomers. Consider Fish & Chips, Sheppard’s Pie, Steak & Mushrooms Pie, peas as a side dish and proper fries. No these are not the French Fries Americans have come to love. Proper British fries are thick and served with curry sauce or gravy. 

Have you ever seen a British pub without Ale? In the spirit of tradition Shakespeare offers an extensive menu of wines, spirits and ales.  Some varieties include Guinness, Harp Lager, Newcastle Brown Ale, Bass Pale Ale and many more. As you browse the Ale, Lagers, and Ciders you will find that most are produced in England, Ireland, Scotland and other associated areas.

Offering such craft beers enhances the pub’s appeal. According to the British Food Journal the craft beer market is gaining market share at the expense of broad line macro producers (Murray & O’Neill, 2012). The age range, income, and educational levels of the average craft beer drinker are driving the market to higher levels of growth. 

You may think that the British don’t have a specific culture in the same way that American’s don’t have a unique culture. This of course is based upon limited perspective. Anyone that has immigrated will tell you that both the Americans and British have their own distinct identities.  Come experience the culture and historical significance of Shakespeare Pub & Grille. 

If you decide not to frequent the restaurant then I shall refer to Shakespeares quote in Act As You Like (Act 3 Scene 2)- “Truly, thou art damned like an ill roasted egg, all on one saide.”

 

Don’t forget to visit the theater next door!

3701 India St.
San Diego, CA 92103

http://www.shakespearepub.com

Murray, D. & O’Neill, M. (2012). Craft beer: penetrating a niche market. British Food Journal, 114 (7).